My old cat is peeing on the floor NEAR the litter box...is she losing it or just mad at me?

Question

I added a kitten (now about 7 months old) to the family and the 15 year old female cat is peeing on the bathroom floor, not on a rug, just out in the open. What can I do to get her back in the box. My vet suggested a product called "cat attract" anyone tried it?

Answer 1

Some people have had success with that, my old girl is on Amitriptyline for the same thing-she will pee right next to the box instead of climbing into it. Sometimes it's too hard to climb over the edge anymore, a shallower box or make a cutout on the side might help. Also she may not like the kitten's smell in "her" box-make sure you have at least 2, preferably 3 boxes for her to choose from. I keep my old girl locked up at night too, because she usually only misses the box when we're asleep or gone. Also I use unscented plain clay (not clumping) and dump the whole thing twice a week, there's less odor in the litterbox this way. It's also a lot less work than scooping it all the time. With the clumping, little bits fall off the edges when you scoop it, so you don't get rid of all the urine smell from the cat's point of view. I have to go to Pet Supplies Plus to get unscented clay, but it's cheap stuff ($4.50 for 50 lbs) and you only need to fill the box by about 2 inches.

Answer 2

Because he wants a separate box to pee in and a separate box to poo in. Many cats decide - sometimes quite suddenly - that they will not use the same litter tray for both functions (this is especially true of long haired cats). Give the cat an extra litter tray, use good quality clumping litter and if the tray has a hood then take it off as many cats don't like using a hooded tray either as the smell inside is not nice for them. The litter you use should be as close to sand as possible as this is soft on their paws and and never use scented litter as when it gets wet the cat has to lick scented litter off its paws which is quite disgusting for a cat! Clean up the area he has used with biological washing liquid as the enzimes should take the smell away. I would suggest putting the extra litter tray down in the same area that he has been using inappropriately and then very gradually (a couple of feet each day) move it closer and closer to the other tray. If he still uses the carpet even when the new tray is there, pick the waste up with a tissue and place it in the tray and leave it there for a while. Hopefully the scent should attract him back to the correct place the next time he wants to go.

Answer 3

Your older cat may have a urinary tract infection or may be in need for a larger or extra litter box. I'd get her into the vet to make sure she's not sick with an infection first thing. I've always had multiple cats and always used an extra litter box. Yeah, it's more work but I know your older female is a loved and respected member of the family. I reiterate, have her checked for an infection, if she was not having any problems before this could really be the cause.

Answer 4

Hi,

First make sure the litter box has a low enough wall to enable
the older cat to climb into it. He may be getting arthritis and it
is getting harder for him to jump in and out of the box.

You might want to consider 2 litter boxes if the one box isn't
big enough.

Clean the litter box DAILY. Scoop out the waste and add some new litter every day. Add baking soda to reduce smells. Use litter box liners. Clean the box with soapy water every week or 2.

The cat might resent the kitten and it could be a reason why the older cat isn't wanting to share the litter box, but I suspect the reasons are that he may be getting to old to jump up, or it may be too small of a litter box for 2 cats, or you aren't changing the litter and cleaning it often enough.

If you've gotten new litter types, some cats don't like certain types like the stuff with crystals and the stuff with cedar chips -- the scents are too strong.

Your cat could also have a urinary tract infection so be sure she gets checked by vet to rule that out as a cause.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Your older cat may be mad with the new addition. You might want to try getting another litter box so you'll have on for each. Also, have your recently changed the litter? That could also be the problem.
If the problem doesn't stop soon, you should take your cat to the vet. She is getting up there in age and something could medically be wrong.

Answer 6

We had three cats for a while and as my one cat got older he didn't want to pee where the other cats went so he'd go in random places. Now we only have one cat and if we don't scoop the litter box at least 3 times a day he'll pee on the floor. (he's almost 14 now) I don't blame them though...who would want to stand in someone else's poop and pee. My suggestion is maybe try scooping more often.

Answer 7

Its just that another cat is in her territory, & she's not to happy about it, try a separate litter box for the new cat, guess it would kind of hard to keep the new cat away from the older cats liter unless you keep them in separate locations,make sure that your older cat isn't sick. My cat started to pee outside her box when got sick took her to the vet, got her checked out, found she had high suger count border-line diabets. Now she is on a special diet high protein, low carbs to loss wieght. I'm not trying to scare you but being 15 years, its a good idea to have her blood checked. Good Luck

Answer 8

Your 15 year old catmust be jealous, because i have a cat and i added a puppy so after the puppy came she started doing the same thing, but usually they get back to the litter box. my suggestion would be to pay attention to her or have the kitten and the cat in the same room with you only. your cat may also do that because she use to be the center of attention.

Answer 9

It could be that she has a urinary tract infection that's a common thing for cats. One of the first signs is peeing outside of the litter box. A urine analysis by your vet could say for sure. Then a quick round of antibiotics will clear it right up. Those infections are really uncomfy, so I would do that soon. I see this alot @ my clinic

Answer 10

Haven't tried the product, but I have had cats for many years. Your 15 year old cat is feeling threatened by the newcomer, and is taking it out on you. She feels betrayed. Reassure her and give her much more attention. Help her understand that she is not being replaced. Besides your bathroom floor, you owe your long time friend that reassurance.